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AI exposure Life, physical and social science

Will AI replace physical scientists?

Physical Scientists, All Other. US occupation 19-2099.

3.8%

of the time physical scientists spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of physical scientists' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 281 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 62% of them.Further along than 62% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

Around the middle of the pack.Keeping pace with the average job.

What AI already does for physical scientistsWhat physical scientists no longer do alone

O*NET lists 24 tasks for physical scientists. AI use at work shows up in 1 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.

  1. Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.Core task mostly automated 0.98

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

23 of the 24 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).Core task
  • Apply remote sensing data or techniques, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection, to address environmental issues.Core task
  • Attend meetings or seminars or read current literature to maintain knowledge of developments in the field of remote sensing.Core task
  • Collect supporting data, such as climatic or field survey data, to corroborate remote sensing data analyses.Core task
  • Conduct research into the application or enhancement of remote sensing technology.Core task
  • Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.Core task
Show the other 17
  • Develop automated routines to correct for the presence of image distorting artifacts, such as ground vegetation.Core task
  • Develop new analytical techniques or sensor systems.Core task
  • Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information.Core task
  • Direct all activity associated with implementation, operation, or enhancement of remote sensing hardware or software.Core task
  • Direct installation or testing of new remote sensing hardware or software.Core task
  • Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.Core task
  • Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.Core task
  • Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.Core task
  • Monitor quality of remote sensing data collection operations to determine if procedural or equipment changes are necessary.Core task
  • Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.Core task
  • Participate in fieldwork.Core task
  • Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.Core task
  • Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.Core task
  • Recommend new remote sensing hardware or software acquisitions.Core task
  • Set up or maintain remote sensing data collection systems.Core task
  • Train technicians in the use of remote sensing technology.Core task
  • Use remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities to assess the impact of environmental change.Core task

How that compares

Among the 46 life, physical and social science occupations, physical scientists rank 32. The group averages 12.2%, and its most exposed job is Political Scientists at 45.2%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 278Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters 3.9%
  2. 281Atmospheric and Space Scientists 3.8%
  3. 281Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 3.8%

Just below

  1. 284Detectives and Criminal Investigators 3.7%
  2. 284Industrial Engineers 3.7%
  3. 284Music Directors and Composers 3.7%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.